Ricky Summers' ABA dream is over

Ricky Summers missed out on reaching the ABA championship final after a heart-breaking points defeat.

The 22-year-old from Tipton went toe-to-toe with Michael Watson from the South Durham Amateur Boxing Club at Everton Park Leisure Centre in Liverpool yesterday and was edged out by a single point after four terrific rounds of action.

Summers, boxing for Lions ABC, reached the last four at 81kgs – despite twice being controversially outpointed in the Midlands final and quarter-finals.

Both his opponents had to withdraw from the championship through injury and that allowed him to yesterday fight for a place on domestic amateur boxing's biggest night of the year.

But the former England under-19 international was pipped by a single point and again, his coaching staff felt the verdict should have gone the other way.

Alimaan Hussain, from Aston ABC, is the only Midlands boxer through to the national final in Colchester a week on Friday.

At bantamweight, he outpointed Ross Cooksey, from Barrow ABC, to book his place in the final.

In professional action, Scott Evans was caught cold on his ring return in London.

The former British Masters welterweight champion from Stourbridge had been out of action for 18 months and faced unbeaten ticket-seller Phil Gill in a six rounder at Olympia on a bill screened by Sky Sports.

Evans was shaken up by a right hand and Gill kept the pressure on to force a first-round stoppage.